The East End in Fact and Fiction

About this course

The course examines how fiction published between 1820 and 1920 has shaped perceptions of East London and its communities. Participants will read extracts by writers including Dickens, Walter Besant, Margaret Harkness, George Gissing, Israel Zangwill and Arthur Morrison, considering their representations alongside historical change. Sessions combine lectures with seminar and group discussion. Maps and images provide context for areas such as Stepney, Poplar, Shoreditch, Limehouse, Wapping and Bethnal Green, while discussion explores how literary invention and historical fact contribute to local legend.

What you'll learn

• Identify significant authors and works associated with the East End
• Analyse how fiction has influenced changing representations of the East End

Is this course right for you?

Listed as suitable for all levels, the course is intended for anyone interested in East End history or London literary history. No prior knowledge of these subjects is required. Participation involves listening to lectures, reading extracts and contributing to seminar or group discussion.

Before you go

• Extracts are sent out in advance and can be read beforehand if desired.
• Bring a pen or pencil and paper for notes.
• Printed copies of the extracts are optional if learners want to annotate alongside the texts.